Master's funding in CS in the US?

[essequamvideri]

I'm applying to a few programs, mostly within CS departments, and am not 100% set on either a Master's or PhD, but am leaning towards a Master's. Based on my research, most schools state that they "do not fund Master's students" (with a few exceptions) in the US. That said, I have also seen posts from people saying they were denied admission to a PhD program but were given full funding for a Master's program instead, or other people who seemingly got funding packages after applying directly to a Master's program.

 

So, my general questions are:

1. Is it possible to get some degree of funding for a CS Master's in the US (above and beyond "part-time and not guaranteed TAship" which some schools offer)?

2. If so, what is the best way to receive this funding? Is one more likely to get Master's funding if they apply for a PhD and are admitted to a Master's instead?

 

Thanks.

[Adamah]

Very few US MS programs offer guaranteed funding to any students. CMU's Robotics MS offers funding through RAships to most students, but it's only guaranteed to a few each year, and the rest must pay at least for the first semester out of pocket. I've heard Princeton offers funding for their MSCS program, but I don't know the details other than that it is a small program.

 

I don't think applying to the PhD program first will help you get funding in the MS program, but I'd recommend applying to the PhD program anyway. You might get lucky and get in anyway.

[compiler_guy]

I think U Wisconsin Madison offers MS funding in CS. But you would need to check their website just to be sure

[Pauli]

If you want funding as a Master's, your best chance is through a well-funded research lab, but you'd have to be a pretty top-notch applicant, and even then, Master's students are not as worthy an investment to any lab director compared to a PhD student because they're just too short-term in comparison.

[compiler_guy]

BTW, I think most Canadian universities offer funding for MS students in CS. You should check that out...

[ironmaiden]

I'm applying to a few programs, mostly within CS departments, and am not 100% set on either a Master's or PhD, but am leaning towards a Master's. Based on my research, most schools state that they "do not fund Master's students" (with a few exceptions) in the US. That said, I have also seen posts from people saying they were denied admission to a PhD program but were given full funding for a Master's program instead, or other people who seemingly got funding packages after applying directly to a Master's program.

 

So, my general questions are:

1. Is it possible to get some degree of funding for a CS Master's in the US (above and beyond "part-time and not guaranteed TAship" which some schools offer)?

2. If so, what is the best way to receive this funding? Is one more likely to get Master's funding if they apply for a PhD and are admitted to a Master's instead?

 

Thanks.

 

1- In my experience, it is definitely possible starting your SECOND SEMESTER. If you enter with a strong motivation and talk to a few faculty of interest to your area, and start working with them on some project (without funding), it is very possible that you get funded for the rest of your masters if you prove yourself worthy. My experience is from a top 10 CS School.

2- No idea

 

Good luck!